From an Airport Role to an Entrepreneurial Journey
What started as an after-hours travel initiative while working in the Maldives has grown into TheTourist360, a South India-based travel company with a team of more than 20 professionals. Founded by Kalaiarasan Loganathan on September 20, 2021, the company has developed a portfolio covering domestic and international holidays, honeymoon packages, group tours and customised travel experiences.
Kalaiarasan, who hails from Vellakovil in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district, entered the tourism industry after completing his engineering education. His professional experience included working as an Airport Representative at Velana International Airport in the Maldives, where he gained practical exposure to travellers, resort operations, transfers and tourism logistics.
Turning Travel Experience into a Business
The idea behind TheTourist360 emerged from Kalaiarasan's experience helping Indian travellers understand the practical aspects of Maldives holidays. In its early phase, he continued his regular employment while assisting people from his network with resort bookings, transfers and travel arrangements.
The venture initially operated with around three people. As customer enquiries increased, Kalaiarasan eventually left his Maldives airport position and returned to India to build the business full-time. By April 2023, the company had grown beyond 10 employees and established physical offices in Trichy, Coimbatore and Vellakovil.
Maldives Expertise at the Core
The Maldives remains an important part of TheTourist360's business. The company offers honeymoon holidays, resort stays, island experiences, speedboat and seaplane transfers, water sports, snorkelling, dolphin and sandbank activities and group travel.
Its approach extends beyond accommodation or ticket bookings, with the company focusing on destination selection, resort choices, transfers, activities and complete itineraries.
Expanding Across India and International Destinations
From its Maldives-focused beginnings, TheTourist360 has expanded its portfolio to destinations including Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Azerbaijan, Russia and Europe. Its domestic offerings include destinations such as Andaman, Lakshadweep, Kashmir, Manali, Shimla and Meghalaya.
The company has also built collaborations with celebrities, influencers and travel creators across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam-speaking markets. These partnerships have helped it promote destination experiences through travel videos, social media content and creator-led trips.
Building a Wider South India Travel Brand
Today, TheTourist360 is looking to strengthen its presence across South India while expanding its international travel network, customised holidays, group tours and creator-led experiences. Its journey from a small after-hours initiative to a growing travel company reflects Kalaiarasan's transition from tourism professional to entrepreneur.
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